St. Patty’s Day is coming, so Hubby thought it fitting to select Wilde Rover for our spot in Kirkland. I was a little nervous we’d bust our budget…..and we did, by about six bucks (with tip). Not horrible, but not a big deal. And it wasn’t Wilde Rover’s fault. It’s actually a testimony to their awesome scenery and good advertising, as well as our lack of foresight in adding up the items we ordered. We know how to add, we just kinda forgot to do it.
“I’ll have the grilled chicken Farmhouse salad” ($11.95), I said to Tim, our waiter. “And I’ll have the pulled pork sandwich, with French fr…I mean a side salad” ($11.95), Hubby added. “Oh, and we’d like to try the Irish soda bread,” I added (Only $2.95, right?). “And a I’ll have cup of coffee,” (Hey, what’s another $2.95?) Hubby added. And that was it. Tim grabbed our menus and walked away as we looked at each other, the realization that $20 date night (even with our free entree – thanks to our Passport Unlimited card) had just busted out of its boundary lines. Oops.
This might sound weird, but I felt like I was in one of those haunted mansions you see in movies. We were seated in a spacious open room in a corner next to a book case with leather-bound classics like Moby Dick and Tom Sawyer. The high ceilings and tile floors made the voices around us echo. Next to our table, a framed picture of famous (dead) Irish writers hung on the wall. It felt a little creepy, but in a good way.
The bar seemed to be popular with the younger crowd. It was a bustling, busy place. Hubby and I used to be the “younger crowd” – but now we’re the thirty-something, married and go to bed no later than 10:30pm crowd. And we’re okay with that.
So, rather than the bar, they seated us in the “haunted house” room. I was just waiting for the ghost with a long velvet cloak to walk into the room, demanding why we were ordering Irish Soda Bread in the ballroom of his home. Honestly, I don’t even know how old Wilde Rover is, but it gives that appearance. And that just makes it more interesting.
The view from our table, along with Hubby’s ear
We had fun talking about plans for our anniversary, and how we are going to decorate our bedroom. Hubby gloated about how juicy his pulled pork was, as I munched away on my rabbit food. No, actually it was a very yummy salad and the grilled chicken was perfect to beef it up (or should I say “chicken” it up?) with some protein.
As always, Hubby finished his meal long before I did. He says it’s because I talk when I eat. He, being a man, focuses on eating and just nods his head here and there while I talk. Or so he says. I think it’s because I am a slow eater, and he tends to attack and conquer while eating. Just one of the many ways we are different.
“Everything okay here? Still doing all right?” Tim asked for the third time, as I savored each bite. Hubby’s plated was long gone, but he sipped his coffee. (Which was good coffee by the way, nice and rich. Yes, I did snag a few sips)
On the way, out we ran into a huge crowd of young folks, looking for a fun place to watch live music, drink Guinness, and stay up way later than us. We let them all squeeze in past us, and we walked into the lovely Kirkland rain and muddy puddles to our car, about a half a mile away. Yes, downtown Kirkland is a popular place on a weekend night, and judging from our experience at Wild Rover, you can see why.
- Atmosphere (romantic appeal): 4. Nice dim lighting. Tables were spaced far apart from each other, which provided a lot of privacy.
- Food: 4. Pretty darn good. We were both happy with our meals.
- Budget Friendly: 4. Prices weren’t bad, though it’s a little tougher to swing a $20 date night here.
- Fun and Unique: 4. Date night at an Irish pub that feels like you’re in the room of a haunted house. I would say that’s a unique experience.
- Memorable: 4. I would say so. And, I’m inspired to make yummy salads like they served me here.
